At 52, I thought I knew how to deal with tricky neighbors, but Amber tested me. She was young, newly divorced, and immediately focused on my husband, Andy. I knew I had to teach her that flirting with a married man comes with consequences.
Amber moved in three months ago, confident and dressed to impress. Rumors said she’d left a wealthy older husband with half his fortune. I watched her from my kitchen window, noticing her constant flirting with Andy.
I warned Andy, but he thought she was just friendly. When I brought Amber muffins, she opened the door in a silk robe and talked about Andy like they were close. I stayed calm but kept an eye on her.
Her daily visits became annoying—compliments, requests for help, and showing up whenever Andy was outside. I confronted her with Andy there, reminding her of his plans and suggesting she get movers instead of bothering him. She wasn’t pleased.
Amber kept pushing, jogging by in tight clothes, asking for water, and even faking a plumbing emergency to lure Andy. He firmly reminded her he was married.
I invited Amber over using Andy’s phone, gathering a group of neighborhood women to address her behavior. She tried to leave but was stopped. After a serious talk, she fled, pale and upset.
She soon put her house on the market and disappeared. Andy and I now have peaceful neighbors, and I’m reminded that standing together with grace is the best defense.
